So the dust has settled a little bit and we can put the CL to one side and concentrate on Sunday’s Carling Cup final.
There’ll be no team news till tomorrow probably but I suspect any slight inclination the manager had of including the likes of Henry or Cesc will be put to bed by the news that John Terry will miss the game after picking up an injury against Porto last night. Not that they’ll fall apart or anything like it but they are a better side defensively when he plays. The manager might fancy the chances of Baptista and Aliadiere more against Essien at centre-half. Anyway, we’ll see.
Tomas Rosicky is looking forward to the game and Thierry Henry, who revealed he’s been playing with a foot injury for a couple of weeks, says whatever team we put is capable of getting a result. He says:
Arsenal in the Carling Cup have the capacity to beat anyone. I will be there, cheering and will be in the dugout or something like that. The most important thing is to bring the trophy back for the fans.
Thierry also believes we have what it takes to turn the Champions League tie around. No comment on that other than to say I believe exactly the same. Jens Lehmann suggests that the system of two cup competitions in England is ‘rubbish’ and that it harms teams in the Champions League. He’s probably right although more than any club Arsenal maximise the benefits of the Carling Cup by blooding young players who wouldn’t otherwise get a chance.
Going back to the Carling Cup if you tune into tomorrow’s Savile Rogue sponsored Arsecast I’ll have a list of Arsenal friendly pubs for anyone travelling down on Sunday.
Arsenal yesterday announced their financial results for the 6 months ending November of last year. Despite posting a loss of £6m Keith Edelman believes the financial future of the club is ‘very bright indeed’. East Lower has some words of warning though while Goodplaya comments too. I really don’t get to enough games to throw in my two cents here but I think both my blogchums make good sense.
Edelman also makes sure we know that the manager has money to spend should he so desire.
And that is about that. The Mug Smasher was delighted last night as Liverpool beat Barcelona. See, the small teams can cause shocks in the Champions League. We’re not alone. Right, I’m off before he comes to get me!
